Police rescue woman held hostage

Flat Rock resident held at gunpoint

July 10, 2013

FLAT ROCK - A woman held hostage at gunpoint inside her home Tuesday safely escaped with the help of police, who later arrested her husband in a standoff in Flat Rock, said Delta County Sheriff Gary Ballweg this morning.

At 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, deputies were called to a residence on County Road 416 regarding the report of a man with a gun holding his wife hostage, Ballweg stated in a news release. Several other agencies responded to the emergency and formed a perimeter around the residence, which is located in a swampy area, said Ballweg.

A hostage negotiator from the Michigan State Police was called to the scene. A Michigan State Police Emergency Services SWAT team, made up of officers from throughout the Upper Peninsula, also responded, explained the sheriff.

"At around 8:30 p.m., officers were able to get the female hostage safely out of the residence," stated Ballweg.

Approximately six hours later, at around 2:30 this morning, the hostage negotiator talked the suspect into exiting the house without incident, the sheriff stated.

Ballweg said a warrant was issued charging the husband with one count of unlawful imprisonment, a 15-year felony, and one count of felonious assault, a four-year felony.

The suspect was arrested and lodged in the Delta County Jail where he remained this morning. His name is not being released pending his arraignment in district court. He was expected to be arraigned today.

A brother of the suspect was also arrested for interfering with the police investigation, according to the sheriff. His name is not being released pending his arraignment in district court.

In addition to the state police, other agencies assisting during the standoff included Escanaba Public Safety, Gladstone Public Safety, Escanaba Township Volunteer Fire Department, and Rampart Emergency Medical Services.

No other details were available on the incident pending an ongoing investigation.